Abstract
This paper delves into the intricate relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the art ecosystem, emphasizing the need for a decolonizing approach in the face of AI's growing influence. It argues that the development of AI is not just a technological leap but also a significant cultural and societal moment, akin to the advent of moving images that Walter Benjamin famously analyzed. The paper examines how AI, particularly in its current oligarchical and corporate-driven form, perpetuates and magnifies the existing social inequalities, thereby necessitating a critical and radical rethinking of its role in society and the arts. At the heart of the discussion is the concept of AI as a broad term encompassing various forms of machine intelligence, from natural language processing to computer vision. The paper criticizes the dominant anthropocentric view of intelligence and creativity, proposing a more inclusive approach that considers the diverse forms of intelligence present in other species and potentially in AI itself. It underscores the role of AI in shaping the art ecosystem, not just in the creative process but also in gatekeeping and decision-making. The paper proposes a framework for decolonizing AI in the art ecosystem, focusing on four key tasks: recognizing access as a form of power, understanding and addressing biases inherent in AI, assessing the impact of AI on marginalized communities, and challenging dominant narratives and epistemologies to create space for alternative voices and perspectives. It emphasizes the need for artists and the art community to engage actively with AI, shaping its development towards more equitable and just outcomes. In conclusion, the paper calls for a radical reimagination of AI's role in society and the arts, advocating for a future where AI is not just about technological advancement but also about fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and creatively diverse world. It invites artists, thinkers, and innovators to join in this journey of reimagining and reshaping the future of AI and the art ecosystem.
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Acknowledgements
This special issue was produced with support from Denton Callander, Joshua Tendler, Ikaika Ramones, Farbod Honarpisheh, Isolde Brielmaier, George Zarkadakis, Steven Feiner, and Debora Giannone. I also acknowledge the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, The Knight Foundation, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences as well as the School of the Arts at Columbia University. Finally, I am sincerely grateful for the gift of company, time, and space that I had the privilege of enjoying alongside a special cohort of writers and practitioners focusing on AI during a month-long residency at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center (October 2019). Writing this chapter was only possible with these people and organizations. Finally, special thanks to Karamjit Gill and Victoria Vesna, who believed in the necessity of and provided the space for publishing a special issue on this topic. A version of this essay first appeared in Culture as Catalyst, edited by Isolde Brielmaier and published by The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College in 2020.
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Baradaran, A. Towards a decolonial I in AI: mapping the pervasive effects of artificial intelligence on the art ecosystem. AI & Soc 39, 7–19 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01771-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01771-5